gay people's

HR

February 1989

O N I

Volume 4 Issue 8

Gay rights case won in D.C.

Lesbians and gays in the nation's capital won a critical civil rights victory when a federal judge struck down the infamous Armstrong amendment that would have allowed religious institutions in the District of Columbia to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.

Ironically, the ruling came the same day the D.C. Council passed two other separate anti-gay laws.

The surprise ruling by conservative, Reagan-appointed U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, said the U.S. Congress did not have the constitutional power to compel the District of Columbia and its council members to enact legislation against their best judgement, including anti-gay legislation.

D.C. Council members, lobbied by the Human Rights Campaign Fund and other national and local activist groups, opposed the anti-gay Armstrong amendment passed by Congress last October as part of the D.C. appropriations bill. The amendment, sponsored

or

by Sen. William Armstrong, R-Colo., would have permitted religiously "associated" educational institutions to discriminate against "any person persons that are organized for, or engaged in, promoting, encouraging, or condoning any homosexual acts, lifestyle, orientation, or belief."

Congress had required D.C. to pass the law by December 31, 1988 or risk cutoff of all funds.

The two anti-gay laws included one bill that was designed to comply with a Congressional mandate allowing insurance companies doing business in D.C. to test applicants for HIV. Local AIDS activists demanded that insurance companies at least be required to test all applicants to prevent "redlining" of gay neighborhoods.

The Council also gave final approval to a bond issue for Georgetown University. Gay activists believed the denial of bonds to Georgetown could be used as political leverage to force the university to treat its gay stuContinued on Page 4

Columbus workers get policy

On December 28, Columbus mayor Dana Rinehart signed a statement of policy which forbids discrimination against lesbians and gay men in city employment. The policy took effect January 1, 1989. After that date, any lesbian or gay men who feels discrimin ated against in city hiring, employment or termination has the right to proceed through the Equal Employment Office of the City of Columbus.

This statement of policy is similar to an executive order, and carries the full weight of law within the city of Columbus.

Rinehart's action came as a result of meetings with Stonewall Union president Chris Cozed, former president Jerry Bunge, Stonewall PAC president Jerry Mayer and former

boardmember Elliot Fishman. Attorneys Bunge and Fishman also worked with Rinehart staffers, helping to draw up the policy's language.

Bunge noted that the mayor responded to the recent Ethnic Intimidation Ordinance, which increases

Se

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Cleveland, Ohio

A Chronicle of the Lesbian & Gay Community

Jimmy Amato 1950-1989

James Alan Amato died on Saturday, Jan. 7, 1989 leaving behind a mother, father, two great sisters, innumerable relatives, two shih tzus, many close friends, co-workers, volunteers, admirers and a two-month-old grandnephew born during his last final battle with HIV and given his name to carry on: James Fitz-Patrick Stager.

It seems incredible that life has evicted Jimmy while there's still air and good food and dance music untried. It seems such a squandering of an extraordinary resource. I wasn't aware there was this abundance of pluck, determination and courage.

Cleveland's blessing came in the guise of an ill-advised Chicago doctor who told Jim his positive test result meant little quality time left on the meter. On the strength of that opinion, Jim closed up his Chicago life---over a decade of restaurant work and catering---and came back home in 1986 to spend his last few good months with his family.

But life had bigger plans for Jimmy. Despite some rocky months in Kirtland, Jim and his mom got involved with the local P-FLAG chapter. An opportune meeting with Buck Harris in 1987 resulted in Jim's first of three Morning Exchange appearances. With Mary valiantly at his side, Jim began his second career: putting a face---and an articulate, feisty, compassionate spirit---to that object of such popular dread and media speculation: the Person with AIDS.

Jim would not be "victim"-ized. He would not be pitied, patronized, condemned or made a statistic. He was a man of proud gay identity, of unshaken sexuality, of Catholic faith and Cleveland roots. He was no less an individual because of a chance encounter with an unpredictable, insidious virus.

Rallying in 1988 after an unbelievably debilitating bout of pneumocystis, Jim began working on the statewide AIDS hotline at the Community CenContinued on Page 4

penalties against those convicted of Women's Variety Show at Agora

hate crimes committed against minorities, by urging Columbus's city council to reconsider the bill and drop "sexual orientation" from its language. Stonewall Union reports that over 500 phone call were made to Mayor Rinehart and to City Council about the Ethnic Intimidation Ordinance urging them to pass the ordinance with the sexual orientation language intact. The ordinance went into effect December 21 and included protection for lesbians and gay men.▼

"Don't be Agora-phobic," says Michelle Martin of Oven Productions about the Women's Variety Show

move.

Oven Productions announced that the 14th Annual Women's Variety Show will be held Saturday, February 11, 1989 at the Agora Theater and Ballroom, 5000 Euclid Ave. The Variety Show leaves the Civic, in Cleveland Heights, location of the show for over seven years.

Women who attended Oven's

HUGS East opens drop-in center Variety Show over the past few years

by Jesse Dallas

HUGS East, the new gay and lesbian social support group in Mentor, officially opened its drop-in center to the Lake County gay and lesbian community Jan. 25.

The opening was a gala affair which featured Aubrey Wertheim, director of the Lesbian-Gay Community Service Center, as one of its speakers. A reception followed so people could become better acquainted with the facilities, founders Tony Petruzzi and Lorna Cramer, and the staff.

The drop-in center was created

for the gay and lesbian community of Lake County, who expressed a desire for a local support group and social activity coordination.

The center employs a staff of volunteers. Some of the activities it sponsors include: speakers on AIDS and related issues, discussion groups on homophobia in society and in the gaylesbian community, game nights, video nights and roller skating on some Thursday evenings. Information on other activities can be obtained at the center or by phoning HUGS East at 257-3627.

Fundamentalist religious organContinued on Page 4

Ratner named to UFMCC

Samaritan College and the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches have announced the appointment of Ellen Ratner to the Board of Trustees of Samaritan College. Ratner, a Cleveland native, is president of the National Lesbian and Gay Health Foundation and is a nationally recognized leader of the lesbian and gay community.

Ratner is the first person of the Jewish faith to be appointed to the board of Samaritan College, a substantially Christian organization. Her appointment reflects a decisive step toward establishing the college as the first accredited university with a predominately gay and lesbian student body-Samaritan's long-term objective.

The UFMCC established Samaritan College as a training seminary for clergy representing the Metropolitan Community Churches. The college is committed to building a university that will meet the special needs of gays and lesbians. Over 400 students attend Samaritan College in the United States, Canada, Australia and Western Europe.

"We are delighted that Ellen Ratner will be joining our Board," said Reverend Sherre Boothman, president of Samaritan College. "She will be an enormous asset. Her credentials are outstanding, particularly her expertise in the human services area where Samaritan has recently added a degree Continued on Page 4

know that the success and growth of the show has had some powerful effects in the community, especially that the audience has grown to well over 1000 women. Bursting at the seems with cramped seating and a burdensome party transition (the party and show were held in the same room at the Civic), Oven committed itself to searching for a new venue. Therefore, most of Oven's work this fall has been just that visiting potential halls to determine which facility would be best for the 14th Annual Women's Variety Show.

"It's a big move for Oven, but one which we're sure the audience and cast will appreciate," says Pat O'Malley, Oven member and stage manager of the last year's sell-out show. "The Agora will provide us with a real theater stage, larger than the stage at the Civic, with theater lighting, curtains, full dressing rooms, and the feeling of putting on our show in a legitimate theater venue," O'Malley went on to explain.

The Agora theater was originally built as the Cleveland Metropolitan Theater in the early 1900's and the audience will be amazed at the beauty of the huge marble pillars on either side of the stage, the unique plaster work and best of all comfortable theater seats. The Agora seats over 1500, which gives us the ability to seat all women who come to the show comfortably and in seats with good sight lines.

The traditional "after the Variety

Show party" will be held in the Agora Ballroom, a small club attached to the theater. The party will feature a disco, bar, sober-support bar, plenty of dance space, as well as room to sit and chat.

The Agora provides a large fenced-in parking lot and parking security at the rear entrance to the club just south of East 55th Street on Prospect Ave. Security is also provided for overflow street parking. Due to a parking fee of $2.00, Oven encourages all women attending the Variety Show to share rides.

Oven has been holding open community planning meetings since mid December to organize the show and as of mid January over 50 women have contributed skit ideas and are working to prepare for the big event. As in years past this 14th Annual Women's Variety Show promises to have over 15 acts which will thoroughly entertain all who come.

Tickets will be available at the door only. This is a women only event. Ticket prices are $8, $10, $12 and $15 on a sliding scale, as well as more if can, less if you can't. The show will be interpreted for deaf women. For more information call Oven Productions at 321-7799. ▼

Conference date tentatively set

The All Ohio Lesbian/Gay Conference has been tentatively scheduled for March 31 thru April 2. This was the only date open on the Case Western Reserve calendar according to members of the CWRU Gay/Lesbian Student Union. The Conference must take place during the school year to use the funds the Student Union has available.

Because of the short time that is available to plan the Student Union is asking for help from the lesbian/gay community to get the conference organized in time.

The next meeting will be held at CWRU, Thursday February 9 at 8 p.m.. Please contact Greg Davies at 421-0699 for further information.▼